Who to watch in 2024: 40 startups set to turn heads at evoke^AG.

Hailing from across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, startup businesses selected are creating innovative solutions that address complex global challenges, from waste management and sustainable production, to decarbonisation, to drive positive change to Australian food systems.

The AgriFutures evoke^AG. Startup Program provides a premier opportunity for agrifood tech and innovation startup and scaleup businesses to directly connect with potential investors and corporates from across the world, grow their networks, and expand their customer base.

AgriFutures General Manger, Global Innovation Networks, Harriet Mellish, said when it comes to innovation and technology in the agrifood sector, Australia is on the edge of immense opportunity and this cohort reflects that.

Danielle Morton, Zondii in Startup Alley at evoke^AG. 2023.

“The businesses selected for the Startup Program demonstrate exceptional technology that will help revolutionise the sector, have strong market potential, and a clear vision for the future and growth opportunities for the business,” Ms Mellish said. 

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“The Startup Program will also connect producers with technology that will help to push their productivity to the edge; help investors and corporates find a competitive edge by partnering with some of the most exciting agrifood tech startups in the region; and highlight technologies and innovations to address some of the most pressing challenges as the world teeters on the edge of ecological, environmental and economic uncertainty” Ms Mellish added.

Western Australian startup Agora Livestock will feature in the Startup Program.

Two examples of Western Australian startups include Agora Livestock, and EXTAG. Both Perth-based, Agora Livestock is an independent price discovery hub for sheep, cattle, and goats, boasting 9,000+ registered users nationwide. It’s bridging the gap between livestock sellers, agents, and buyers, through a dedicated marketplace while offering up-to-date market insights.

Taking inspiration from technologies like those used in payWave technology, EXTAG provides Smart Asset Management systems that offer a comprehensive end-to-end traceability service. While their primary usage resides in the mining sector, EXTAG is actively interested in exploring the agricultural domain and the potential for technology transfer. 

LB Agtech will join the Startup Program in 2024.

Delegates will also explore cutting-edge breakthroughs from LB Agtech ,which has developed BeeSTAR®, a digital revolution of beekeeping by developing a remote hive monitoring system that utilises advanced data algorithms. This innovative system monitors and tracks the hive health and condition, contributing to the fields of beekeeping and pollination. Another is pioneering Austin-based Protequus®. The biomedical engineering firm will introduce delegates to its world’s first predictive-health wearable for horses, the NIGHWATCH® smart halter™, that acts as early-warning system for pain and distress.  

Since its inception in 2019, the evoke^AG. Startup Program has helped drive investment to, and growth of, more than 80 of Australian and global agrifood tech startups.

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Startup Alley

The 2024 evoke^AG. Startup Program cohort is set to join this impressive list of innovators, exhibiting in the event’s Startup Alley which is brought to you by Syngenta and showcases the most innovative and exceptional companies in agrifood tech innovation. 

Syngenta’s Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Paul Luxton said given Syngenta’s focus on partnerships and collaboration to accelerate innovation for farmers and nature, there was a natural alignment between the global technology brand and evoke^AG.

“Syngenta is delighted to be partnering with evoke^AG. on Startup Alley in Perth. This partnership, as well as the connections and partnerships that we help to facilitate, will help drive innovation that makes a real difference in helping safely feed the world while taking care of the planet,” Mr Luxton said.

The 40 startups selected as part of this cohort include: 

• Agora Livestock (WA) 
• Agtuary (VIC) 
• Aquacultr Group (NSW) 
• AquaWatch Solutions (NZ) 
• Azaneo (NSW) 
• Bitwise Agronomy (TAS) 
• Boost AI (NSW) 
• Bovonic Limited (NZ) 
• C4C Packaging (WA) 
• Converte (NSW) 
• Energy Farmers Australia (WA) 
• EXTAG (WA) 
• Farmed Carbon (NSW) 
• Farm Optimisation Group (WA) 
• Food2Soil (NSW) 
• Gaia Project Australia (VIC) 
• Grown Not Flown (VIC) 
• Hone Corporation (NSW) 
• InvertiGro (NSW) 
• Laconik (WA)
• LB Agtech (VIC) 
• MaxSil (QLD) 
• NanoSoils Bio (NSW) 
• Nitronic (WA) 
• Optomni (SA) 
• Orijin Plus (WA) 
• Protequus (USA) 
• Rainstick (QLD) 
• Stoktake (VIC) 
• Ten Carbon Chemistry (ACT) 
• TerraCipher (QLD) 
• The Leaf Protein Co. (VIC) 
• Transport Genie (Canada) 
• Uluu (WA) 
• Universal Biosecurity Ltd (WA) 
• VetChip (WA) 
• Xsights Digital (WA) 
• Yarta (NSW) 
• Y-Trace (WA) 
• Zondii (NSW) 

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Ms Mellish said 10 of these startups will be selected by AgriFutures to demonstrate their technology to conference-goers at evoke^AG. 2024 on the demo stage, and a small contingent of Australian and New Zealand startups and scaleups will also have the opportunity to present to potential customers and investors at the event’s Culinary Capital Dinner on the eve of the two-day event.

“We are very excited and proud to be bringing this impressive cohort to Perth in 2024. There aren’t many programs of this kind that connect future industry leaders in the agrifood tech innovation space, directly to global investors and customers that will help them grow, refine, and further market their business,” Ms Mellish said.

Leon Power, Co-Founder of Nanobubble Agritech pitching at the 2023 Investor Pitch DInner

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Scaleup Station

For the first time ever, AgriFutures evoke^AG. also selected 10 scaleup businesses to exhibit in the new Scaleup Station. This initiative enables scaleup businesses who have previously exhibited in Startup Alley (at the 2019, 2020 or 2023 event) to demonstrate their advancements, connect with potential partners, and further accelerate their growth journey.

Businesses selected to exhibit in the inaugural Scaleup Station, include:

• Agronomeye (NSW) 
• Bird Control Group (Netherlands) 
• CropX Limited (NZ) 
• FarmLab PTY LTD (NSW) 
• Agbot (QLD) 
• Goanna Ag (QLD) 
• Pairtree Intelligence Pty Ltd (NSW) 
• SwarmFarm Robotics (QLD) 
• Whole Green Foods (WA) 
• Zetifi (NSW) 

SwarmFarm Robotics will exhibit in the inaugural Scaleup Station.

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To find out more about the AgriFutures evokeAG. Startup Program, and to access the full list of startups involved in the event visit: evokeag.com/startups. 

For more information about evokeAG. 2024, and to purchase tickets, visit: evokeag.com/2024. If you’re a startup interested in attending, please contact [email protected] for a discount code. AgriFutures Australia is encouraging delegates to secure their tickets, flights, and accommodation early to avoid disappointment.